Endophytes infection increased the disease resistance of host Achnatherum sibiricum and non-symbiotic neighbours to pathogenic fungi

Epichloë infection can affect the fungal disease resistance of host grasses. However, few studies have been reported on the effects of endophyte infection on non-symbiotic neighbours. We surveyed the plant diseases in natural grassland, and compared differences of total disease index between neighboring and non-neighboring plants of Achnatherum sibiricum. Then laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of endophyte on the growth of four pathogen species as well as the brown patch of the host and its neighboring plants. The results of plant disease investigation in natural grassland showed that the major epidemic diseases of grasses were spot blight, rust disease and powdery mildew in Hulunbuir natural grassland. Among common herbages, the total disease index of endophyte-infected A. sibiricum was the lowest. Compared with non-neighboring plants, the brown patch disease index of Leymus chinensis, Stipa baicalensis and Agropyron cristatum was significantly reduced when neighbouring with A. sibiricum. The laboratory experiments results showed that the culture filtration of both Epichloë gansuensis and Epichloë sibiricum significantly restrained the growth of Curvularia lunata, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotinia trifoliorum. The two species of endophytes could reduce lesion area of detached host leaves. In vivo plant experiments, the endophyte reduced the disease resistance of both the host and its neighbor grasses L. chinensis to C. lunata and B. sorokiniana. This study first verified that the endophytes in A. sibiricum have a positive effect on disease resistance of neighbor grasses to brown patch. The study contributes to the understanding of endophyte-host interactions and suggests potential applications of endophytes in biological control strategies for grassland management.